Thread: Request on how to make a Mast that is secure in my yard!!

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Thank you to all of the responses for the pirate ship and I am going to go with ASU AND LYNN's Design.... I want to do a Mast behind the sunken ship. I want to have a crow's nest also. I know I am going to use pvc pipe but how will I anchor it in the ground? Any pics or step by step instructions would be so great. Thank you Halloween Forum you all have been so informative and helpful!
Erin

If you're using a large diameter pipe, you can dig a posthole in the ground, and drop some cement in there (but then you're stuck with the cement). Less invasive, you could, instead, ram a long skinny metal bar in the ground, like a tree stake, and put the PCV over that. Or, you could build a wooden stand large enough to give the mast stability, secure the mast to the stand with bolts, and add rigging on four points to secure it to the ground.

But before you settle on PVC, consider going to one of the big box home stores or a carpet store and asking for some of their leftover cardboard tubes used to hold carpet. I got some for free for my masts, and you can cut, paint, and texture these to look weathered. Cheaper, lighter, and, maybe, safer.

I agree with Gumba, before you are set on using PVC, try looking for carpet tubes. I ended up getting several from a neighbor who was having their house re-carpeted.

I used a bent piece of re-bar pounded into the ground and then slipped the carpet tube over. I only had mine up for 2 days so you may need to use some extra guy ropes and tree stakes to help keep it secure in the wind.

you can try concrete forming tubes..(suana tubes)they are a thick walled cardboard tube that range from 8" to 12 diameter ive seen them up to 12 feet tall
QUIKRETE® - QUIK-TUBE® Building Form

Building Tube For Concrete, 12" # 6922-03 by Quikrete Company

Thank you guys so much!! I want the mast up for the whole month of October though so would the carpet tubes not make it through the rain? It rains at least 2 days out of the month in October.!!

I used a plastic Whiskey Barrel Planter for my crows nest. ( It was a bit bigger than the one in the link) It is light weight and I was able to cut a hole in the bottom and slide it over a large wooden landscaping pole.
I attached the pole to a extra large metal Christmas tree stand. I'll add my link to my pirate stuff, but I don't think you can tell how I did it in the pictures I have. Good luck.
Whiskey Barrel Planter, 16" Grey # WB16MIAQ by Pottery Collaborative


Pirate Gallery pictures by Yelsir - Photobucket

tricky. even with paint, probably not, but the sonotubes are made to form concrete so maybe you'll be okay if you go that route (I haven't used those). For the cardboard rolls you'll need to seal it with something.

A wooden lanscaping pole? Where would I get something like that? Garden Ridge, Home Depot Lowes's??? I am trying to access your pics but it won't come up

OK now I can see the pics ... HOLY MOLY!!! How did you do that? Was it for your house? Did the news crew come by? I mean amazing!!!! What are the wood pilings made of? And where did you get your fishing nets. I have been on Ebay searching but not finding what I really like

Yes, Home depot or Lowes has them. They are about 8 feet tall and about 4 -5 inches in diameter.
Pirate Gallery pictures by Yelsir - Photobucket
Whiskey Barrel Planter, 16" Grey # WB16MIAQ by Pottery Collaborative

Originally Posted by ELH(Erin Loves Halloween)

A wooden lanscaping pole? Where would I get something like that? Garden Ridge, Home Depot Lowes's??? I am trying to access your pics but it won't come up